Yes, we have nitrates already—but what are data centers adding?

October 20, 2026

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Amie here. We had our first freeze warning this weekend here in Waterloo, which officially makes it fall, which means soup season! Do you make soup, or just enjoy it—and what’s your favorite? Reply and tell me!

In this issue:

Remember the Milwaukee Brewers “Timeless Ticket” promotion? (scroll for more!)
You already know nitrates are bad; now we have to worry about what the data centers are adding?
Reader letters on favorite fall activities, their voting plans, and more.

Amie Rivers

Newsletter Editor, Iowa Starting Line

Email me

What’s important to you about voting this year? Maybe it’s an issue affecting your family, something happening in your community, an experience you’ve had, or simply something you hope will change.

We want to hear your story. Send us a short selfie-style video telling us what’s inspiring your vote, or your perspective on voting. Submit your video by 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 23, and if you are eligible, you will be entered for a chance to win a $25 gift card.*

Share what’s inspiring your vote

Mailing in your ballot this year? Do it sooner rather than later, the US Post Office is telling folks.
The Milwaukee Brewers are in the MLB World Series this weekend for the first time since 1982. Some fans who bought $1,000 Timeless Tickets more than a decade ago are trying to cash them in to save money on pricey seats now (including Iowa resident Dustin Buck, quoted in this article).
Refugees resettled in the US are the latest deportation targets.
How many of these haunted Iowa places have you visited?

‘Look at the health of our people’: Linn County farmer calls out Iowa lawmakers

You already know about Iowa’s high cancer rate and how nitrates flowing from farm fields into drinking water supplies contribute to that.

Now, we have data center water to contend with—and the epicenter right now is Linn County.

Scroll down to see what one group of Iowans is doing about it!

News about and for Iowa’s working class

Work touches nearly every part of life in Iowa—yet news about job cuts, pay, workplace safety, and labor laws is often scattered or hard to follow.

This free newsletter brings it together in one place.

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A group of community leaders in central Iowa wants to help combat polluted drinking water with a free reverse osmosis filtration station in Des Moines.

Jarael Madyun, Betret Eustace, Shadonna Head, and Indigo Moore—all members of the African American Leadership Academy in Des Moines—have proposed raising $25,000 to purchase a community water station that could help those who cannot afford their own nitrate removal systems.

“Our mission is to raise awareness about safe drinking water and help expand access to affordable water filtration,” Head told Black Iowa News.

Readers are invited to join the conversation. Please include your first name and last initial; your city is optional. Responses may be lightly edited for length, clarity, or typos.

✏️ Send me your takes

“My favorite fall activity is NOT getting all the political texts, emails and ads on the television.” — Rick H.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Amie Rivers. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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